Implicit bias—also referred to as unconscious bias—encompasses the automatic attitudes and beliefs that influence how individuals perceive and interact with others, often without conscious awareness. Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, expressions of these biases that manifest through language, behavior, or actions. In both mental health and broader medical settings, these dynamics can significantly impact patient trust, clinical judgment, and the overall quality of care, particularly for individuals from historically marginalized communities.
Even well-intentioned clinicians are not immune. A 2017 meta-analysis by FitzGerald and Hurst provided compelling evidence that implicit racial and ethnic biases are prevalent among healthcare professionals and are associated with disparities in patient outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing education and self-reflection within clinical practice.
In January, the NCAL Mental Health Training Program hosted a didactic session titled “Unveiling Unconscious Bias: Navigating Microaggressions in Mental Health Practice,” led by DeAngela Cooks, LMFT. Ms. Cooks contextualized unconscious bias within broader historical and sociocultural frameworks, emphasizing that these biases are not only automatic but also shaped by societal narratives that often operate beneath the surface of awareness.
The session explored how microaggressions may present in clinical environments and highlighted the importance of cultivating mindfulness, curiosity, and critical self-reflection in clinical interactions. Through guided reflection and open dialogue, participants were encouraged to examine how bias may influence their clinical work and to consider strategies for interrupting these patterns.
This training served as a valuable entry point for recognizing and addressing bias and microaggressions in mental health care. It also reinforced the importance of fostering equitable, respectful, and patient-centered care across all disciplines.
For those who were unable to attend or wish to revisit the material, a full recording is available in the MHTP’s CE Library via KP Learn . All providers are encouraged to engage with the content, share it with colleagues, and continue exploring how these concepts apply within their respective roles and settings.
Access the recording:
Unveiling Unconscious Bias: Navigating Microaggressions in Mental Health Practice
Speaker: DeAngela Cooks, LMFT
Presented: January 14, 2025
MHTP CE Library: https://mentalhealthtraining-ncal.kaiserpermanente.org/seminars/unveiling-unconscious-bias-navigating-microaggressions-in-mental-health-practice-2/
Reference:
FitzGerald, C., & Hurst, S. (2017). Implicit bias in healthcare professionals: A systematic review. BMC Medical Ethics, 18(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-017-0179-8
Contributed by: Anthony Lucas, Psychology Doctoral Intern, JEDI Trainee Liaison
